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2000
January
The band spends the majority of January touring Europe, which is where they are when Sharon Osbourne, the manager hired in October, quits due to personality conflicts with frontman Billy Corgan. The band wraps up the month with the first live TV appearance of the year on "Politically Incorrect" and begins a record store tour in Kansas the last day of January.
  • 2000-01-07
The band launches their short European tour at Cirkus in Stockholm, Sweden. The set is similar to the Metro shows of last December, interspersed with new songs and old favorites.
  • 2000-01-11
With the release of Machina/the Machines of God a little over a month away, the band is shocked when newly hired manager Sharon Osbourne resigns, stating a "medical reason - Billy Corgan was making me sick." The very brash and public announcement and subsequent interviews with Osbourne shows a power struggle between her and the Pumpkins' frontman.
  • 2000-01-19
The band takes the stage in Brussels, Belgium , but is forced to abandon the show after two songs due to singer Corgan's throat infection. The band also cancels its January 21 show in Manchester, England due to the illness.
  • 2000-01-25
Former bassist D'arcy Wretzky is arrested around 3 a.m. for possession of a controlled substance after allegedly purchasing three bags of crack cocaine on the West side of Chicago. She has a Valentine's Day court date for the charges.
  • 2000-01-29
The spifc confirms a small batch of tour dates, starting January 31st in Lawrence, Kansas. The confirmed shows are all in-store performances and will be accompanied by an autograph signing.
  • 2000-01-30
The post Super Bowl special of ABC show "Politically Incorrect" is a Pumpkin fest, as the band performs the live television debut of "The Everlasting Gaze" and "Stand Inside Your Love." Corgan is also a panelist on the show. An article also appears in Sonicnet confirming the band is planning to continue the in-store tour through March, sprinkling in surprise club shows along the way.
  • 2000-01-31
The first date of the "Resume the Pose" tour kicks off in Lawrence, Kansas with a signing in a record store, followed by a club show at the Granada Theatre at night.
February
Machina/the Machines of God is finally released Feb. 29, and lands No. 3 on the Billboard charts. To drum up support for the album, the band has spent the rest of the month on the "Resume the Pose" tour, consisting of in-store performances and autograph signings. Other band news takes place in the courtroom, as former bassist D'arcy is ordered to attend drug abuse prevention classes, and the band sues former manager Sharon Osbourne, who left in January.
  • 2000-02-14
In court, former bassist D'arcy Wretzky was ordered to attend drug abuse prevention classes rather than face charges stemming from her January 25th arrest for possession of crack cocaine. D'arcy didn't enter a formal plea, but was quoted as saying "I didn't do it."
  • 2000-02-19
A unique performance occurs at Cat's Cradle, as Billy plays a solo acoustic show due to drummer Jimmy Chamberlin's eye injury. Corgan is accompanied by James, and the setlist features many older gems and never before played songs, and the encore features an improvisational song where Corgan pulls members of the audience onstage to be his backing band.
  • 2000-02-23
A report surfaces that the band is suing former manager Sharon Osbourne, who left the band in the midst of its European tour last month. The band's suit is for the $150,000 advance paid to Osbourne upon her hiring in October of 1999.
  • 2000-02-29
The Smashing Pumpkins' fifth album, Machina/the Machines of God, is formally released today, although an early mix of the final album had been leaked online in late January. The album will debut at No. 3 on the Billboard charts the following week. The album has many promotional tie-ins, as a special 5-track EP comes with purchases from Best Buy in the United States and HMV in Canada. Other independent stores are given a separate 7-track EP to release along with the album, while mainstream stores like Circuit City and Sam Goody hand out free lithographs of the artwork from the album with purchases of Machina.
March
As Machina starts to slide down the charts, the band finishes up the "Resume the Pose" tour. A special stop at the end is the MTV studios on Broadway for a half-hour special during @MTV Week.
  • 2000-03-07
The band puts the finishing touches on the American part of the "Resume the Pose" tour (there's still 2 Canadian dates) with a live EndSession broadcast from Seattle.
  • 2000-03-09
The Thursday edition of @MTV Week features the band in the Broadway studios, where the perform "The Everlasting Gaze" and after online and phone in voting, "I of the Mourning." The half-hour special also features Carson Daly interviewing the band members and online chats with the band, and an interactive online video for "The Crying Tree of Mercury."
  • 2000-03-10
Another TV special is broadcast, this one from Musique Plus in Montreal, Canada. Two shows in Montreal and Canada are announced for the weekend, instead of the previously planned in-store signings.
  • 2000-03-16
Rolling Stone online reports that in its second week on the charts, Machina drops from No. 3 to No. 20, with a nearly 60 percent decline in sales.
  • 2000-03-17
In honor of frontman Billy Corgan's 33rd birthday, groups of fans make an effort to get the video for "Thirty-Three" played on MTV's "Total Request Live." Although it doesn't crack the Top 10, host Carson Daly does make a mention of the effort and plays a small clip of the video on the show.
April
April brings the launch of the "Sacred and Profane" tour April 8 in Kansas City, as well as the relaunch of the band's official Web site at www.smashingpumpkins.com. The band makes an appearance on David Letterman as well, performing "I of the Mourning."
  • 2000-04-03
Billy is a guest on Mancow's Morning Madhouse, a show based out of Chicago's Q101 studios and broadcast nationwide. Corgan and Mancow discuss their love of wrestling, and Corgan plays an acoustic "I of the Mourning."
  • 2000-04-04
Reports run from various sources that the band will be joining Foo Fighters and Our Lady Peace on the Summersault tour, which is slated to run through Canada in August.
  • 2000-04-06
Radio contest winners attend a rehearsal at the Riviera Theater in Chicago, as well as eat dinner with the band. The winners are chosen from across the country.
  • 2000-04-08
The "Sacred and Profane" tour kicks off in Kansas City. The shows are heavily promoting Machina/the Machines of God, but also include many older hits and a four song acoustic set in the middle of the show.
  • 2000-04-15
The band begins the first of a two night stand at the Aragan Ballroom. This show features Billy's dad onstage during the first encore of "Blank Page" and "Walkin' the Dog."
  • 2000-04-16
WXRT in Chicago broadcasts the band's second show from the Aragon Ballroom. Corgan dedicates "I of the Mourning" to DJ Jonny Mars, who he says used to play many of his favorite artists when he was growing up.
  • 2000-04-26
In another radio contest sponsored by KROQ in New York, the band plays an hour-long set on a boat to lucky winners. Earlier in the day, the band also tapes an appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman" performing "I of the Mourning."
  • 2000-04-28
The band relaunches their official Web site, located at www.smashingpumpkins.com (archived link). The site features an intricate flash introduction and a "chards of glass" introduction from Corgan, as well as tour info, videos and a message board.
May
May 23 is the day Pumpkins fans will never forget, as frontman Billy Corgan announces the plan to end the band at the end of the current tour on Los Angeles' KROQ. The band wraps up the American portion of the tour May 30 in Portland, Oregon.
  • 2000-05-19
Sonicnet reports that the drug charges against former bassist D'arcy have been dropped after her successful completion of prevention classes. She had been arrested January 25th and charged for possession of crack cocaine.
  • 2000-05-23
Bandleader Billy Corgan announces the intended breakup of the band following the completion of touring at the end of the year during a pre-show interview on KROQ in Los Angeles. A complete transcript of the interview can be found here.

It's also reported in the aftermath of the breakup that Corgan will be collaborating with Lisa Marie Presley in the future.
  • 2000-05-30
The band's final U.S. show for the "Sacred and Profane" tour wraps up in Portland, Oregon. The band has a few weeks off before continuing the tour with a number of shows in Japan.
June
The first half of the month finds the band resting, well deserved after being on the road since the beginning of April. The band returns to the road June 20 in Japan, and European dates begin to be leaked as well.
  • 2000-06-20
Plans for the band's European tour later in the year begin to leak, as 4 U.K. dates are announced at NME.com. The shows are in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and London. Tonight is also the first night of the band's Japanese tour, starting in Yokohoma.
  • 2000-06-27
ChartAttack runs a story over frontman Billy Corgan's suit against former band member Ron Roesing of the Marked. The suit stems over Roesing's sampling of the band's music on his song "Smugly."
  • 2000-06-28
The band announces plans to release a webcast of their May 23rd show from Los Angeles on July 13. Also, two songs from the show that will not be a part of the webcast, "Blue Skies Bring Tears" and "Heavy Metal Machine" will be available for download at $1.99 each starting on that date. The webcast will also be available on demand from July 21-23.
July
The beginning of the month finds the band finishing their Japanese tour, with a one-off stop in Korea on the 4th of July. The rest of the month, the band retreats to the studio to touch up leftovers from the Machina sessions for future release. On a side note, singer Billy Corgan takes a break from the music business to limelight on a taping of Extreme Championship Wrestling.
  • 2000-07-02
The Pumpkins wrap up their eight date Japanese tour with the second of two shows in Tokyo.
  • 2000-07-04
The Smashing Pumpkins land on the shores of Korea for the first and last time, as they play a show in Seoul.
  • 2000-07-17
A second Wembley date is added for Nov. 4, which is now the final show the band will play in the United Kingdom.
  • 2000-07-21
The third installment of the "Glass" stories, titled "Glass and the synthetic army" is posted on the band's official Web site. The first two parts of the story are available on the CD and vinyl versions of Machina/the Machines of God, respectively.
  • 2000-07-22
Corgan appears at an Extreme Championship Wrestling event in Peoria, Ill., where he is slated to play the national anthem, only to be interrupted by Lou E. Dangerously. An argument ensues, and Corgan smashes his acoustic guitar over the wrestler's head. Dangerously's allies come to his aid, but Corgan is saved from a beating by ECW stars Tommy Dreamer and Jerry Lynn.
  • 2000-07-27
A "Triple Tree" is announced online, which consists of "Billy's Gravity Demos" and "The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music," two analog tapes Corgan gave to a fan in the midst of the "Sacred and Profane" tour. "Gravity" features instrumentals recorded in the year before Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and includes many full-length versions of songs found in Pastichio Medley. "Friends and Enemies" features outtakes from Machina, as well as a few Adore demos and live tracks. The final disc is a compilation of three soundboard shows recorded during the tour.
August
August finds the band busy, as they headline the Summersault tour across Canada, along with Our Lady Peace and the Foo Fighters. The band also tapes an appearance for VH1's Storytellers to be aired later in the fall. On the online front, the band launches a 24/7 streaming radio and posts an uncut version of their upcoming "Try, Try, Try" video.
  • 2000-08-03
ECWwrestling.com hosts comments by singer Billy Corgan about his recent skirmish with wrestler Lou E. Dangerously. "Let me start by saying that this incident with 'Lou E. Imitation' is a complete outrage," Corgan said. "After the warm reception I received from the crowd when I was announced as a surprise guest, what followed was like a bucket of cold water. Before I could play a note, I was attacked by Lou 'I used to be the Sign Guy but the Dudleys left me behind' Dangerously and his band of reckless thugs, [ECW stars] Steve Corino, Scotty Anton, and Jack Victory," Corgan continued. "It was, needless to say, an unwarranted intrusion upon my performance, and an insult that won't be easily forgotten. Lou may be the greatest manager in sports entertainment, but he is a no-class individual who should be ashamed to call himself an American."
  • 2000-08-04
The initial Summersault show kicks off in Vancouver, with the Pumpkins headlining. Other bands include hosts Our Lady Peace, Foo Fighters and A Perfect Circle.
  • 2000-08-12
The band's Montreal Summersault show is broadcast nationwide as a concert special, along with the Foo Fighter's set. The show is billed as the "last Smashing Pumpkins broadcast."
  • 2000-08-14
SP radio [archive.org] is launched at the official site, featuring two different 24/7 streams, titled Punch Drunk and Dizzy and Collapsing Cities. A third stream entitled Glass Towers replaces these later on. The streams encompass the band's career and include such rarities as "My Eternity" studio and "I Want you to Want me."
  • 2000-08-16
The Smashing Pumpkins finish up the Summersault tour in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  • 2000-08-23
The director's cut [archive.org] of new video "Try, Try, Try" is posted on the official Web site. Because of strong content, the video for the final single had to be censored for broadcast. The release of the "Try, Try, Try" single is slated for September 11.
  • 2000-08-24
Hammerstein Ballroom is the venue for the taping of the long awaited "VH1 Storytellers", which has been rumored since the spring. The official site gives away 50 seats to board members in a drawing. In semi-related news, Corgan returns to the Ballroom the next night to partake in another ECW event. This time, he is hit over the head with a cell phone.
September
In an industry first, the Smashing Pumpkins release their final album Machina II/the Friends and Enemies of Modern Music online in order to bypass label Virgin Records. More and more media pick up the story in the following days, and thanks to the grassroots efforts of fans, radio stations begin to play tracks as well. In other news, the band begins its final European tour in Germany.
  • 2000-09-05
In a rather unexpected move, copies of the band's final album Machina II/the Friends and Enemies of Modern Musicare released over the Internet, in a move to undercut Virgin Records, who expressed no interest in releasing the set commercially. 25 vinyl copies (3 10" singles and 2 LPs) of the material, featuring leftover tracks from the original Machina sessions as well as new songs recorded during studio time in July, are given to friends and fans of the band for distribution. The material also is the first release from Constantinople Records, a project Corgan is expected to devote time to after the end of the band. For more information on where to download or get a copy of the album on CDR, check here.
  • 2000-09-16
The band's final European tour kicks off in Berlin. The band plays a short acoustic set beforehand, and the electric set features songs off the newly released Machina II/the Friends and Enemies of Modern Music.
  • 2000-09-29
Three South African dates are added after the end of the European tour. The band had planned to play the country during the Adore tour but had been forced to cancel.
October
The band continues its final run through Europe, as dates are announced for the final two shows ever. The band is set to perform at the United Center in Chicago November 29th, and their final show will be in the tiny club where they got their start, the Metro, on December 2nd. Tickets go onsale October 21st, with Metro tickets only being available at the United Center box office. Both shows sell out within the hour.
  • 2000-10-09
Corgan's initial comments about the newly released Machina II are broadcast on the BBC. "So far it's been a great, amazing and exciting thing. I intend on continuing to release music this way," Corgan is quoted as saying. "I'm an alternative artist who straddles the pop mainstream."

"I'm often faced with conflicting issues. In this case, there's no compromise. I do exactly what I want the way I want. And I don't have to pay anybody and they don't have to pay me." The band is continuing their final tour of Europe.
  • 2000-10-17
The Smashing Pumpkins return home, as a press release announces the band's farewell shows, slated for Nov. 29 at the United Center and Dec. 2 at the Metro, both in Chicago. The Metro is considered by many the home of the Pumpkins, as the band started out playing shows in the club. Tickets are set to go on sale Oct 21.

Also, Tony Iommi's Iommi is released in stores today. The former Black Sabbath guitarist enlists the help of many current stars, including Corgan, who helps out and sings on the track "Black Oblivion."
  • 2000-10-20
"Stand Inside Your Love" wins the "Most Visionary Video" award at the VH1 fashion awards. The band was not present to accept the award, as they were still in Europe.
  • 2000-10-21
Tickets for the band's two final shows, one at the United Center and the second at the Metro, go onsale at noon today. Metro tickets are only available at the United Center box office, and hundreds of fans camp out the night before for a chance at the tickets available to the public. Both shows have two ticket limits, and all tickets are snatched up within 45 minutes.
November
November finds the band wrapping up its European tour, and then jetting down to South Africa for three makeup shows before returning home to prepare for its farewell performances. The band also makes a final TV appearence on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and debuts a farewell song called "Untitled" during a radio interview the night of the second to last show at the United Center.
  • 2000-11-07
Billy Corgan announces the "Meaning of Machina" [archive.org] contest on the official Web site. Fans are invited to send in their interpretations of the story's concept.

Also, before the band's final European show in Dublin, Ireland, the sixth chapter of Machina is passed out in the crowd, a handwritten gospel missive penned by Corgan.
  • 2000-11-14
The band plays its third and last show in South Africa, before returning to the United States for its farewell appearences. The band had been slated to play South Africa during the Adore tour but the shows were cancelled.
  • 2000-11-17
The Smashing Pumpkins performs on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" its final television performance. The group plays "Cash Car Star" and Leno holds up one of the 25 vinyl copies of Machina II/the Friends and Enemies of Modern Music while introducing the band.
  • 2000-11-28
Singer Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin visit WXRT studios in Chicago to participate in the music talk show "Sound Opinions" hosted by Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot and Chicago Sun-Times reviewer Jim Deragotis. Metro owner Joe Shanahan also is present, and the group spends the three hours talking about a wide range of topics in the music world.
  • 2000-11-29
The band returns to Chicago for the first of its final two shows, this one taking place in the cavernous United Center. The show is sold out, but tickets are plentiful on the streets, as prices drop to face value and below as the show nears. The show is broadcast on Chicago station Q101, and as a special bonus, radio deejay James Van Osdol interviews lead singer Billy Corgan, who debuts a brand new song just recorded as a "see you later" song, called "Untitled".
December
The hype builds before the band's final show ever at Metro, the small club where the band got its start. Tickets are going for roughly $1000, and many fans have come in from around the world, both ticket and ticketless, hoping to be a part of history. The band takes the stage for the final time December 2nd, and after a four hour plus show, ending with a long "Silverfuck" jam, the band walks off the stage, lead singer Billy Corgan in tears, and The Smashing Pumpkins are nothing more than a part of rock history.

In other news, a documentary is aired on WFLD Chicago (Fox) chronicling the band's history and featuring rare footage from an local cable access show the band was on in 1988, as well as "1979" from the final Metro show. Also, Corgan mentions a plan to reissue all the band's albums with different sequencing and extra tracks sometime in the future.
  • 2000-12-01
As fans already begin to line up for the next night's final show, The Smashing Pumpkins perform a late-night soundcheck at the Metro, afterword spending a few minutes chatting with the die-hard fans outside.
  • 2000-12-02
The Smashing Pumpkins take the stage for the final time at the Metro, as hundreds of fans, friends and family pack the tiny club at 3730 N. Clark St. The walls are decked with enlarged handbills of the band's previous Metro shows dating back to October 5, 1988, the band's first ever performance at the club. As a parting gift, fans are given a free copy (CR05) of this show from the band, the fifth release from Constantinople records.

The band performs three sets, followed by four encores, packing 37 songs into a four hour plus performance, with the final notes ringing out around 12:20 a.m. The entire show is professionally video recorded for a possible DVD release, as numerous cameras and mics are seen throughout the venue.

Following the show, the band hosts a private afterparty for friends and family in the venue, and video screens are placed onstage and archived footage from throughout the band's career is looped to play. The party rages on until early the next morning before all is said and done and both band and guests leave, marking the end of The Smashing Pumpkins.

The setlist for the final show is listed below:

Set 1: Bringing down the sound
Rocket
I Am One
Rhinoceros
Shame
Porcelina of the Vast Oceans
The Everlasting Gaze
Bullet with Butterfly Wings
Spiteface (tease)
Thru the Eyes of Ruby
Blissed and Gone (with the Frogs)
To Sheila (with Linda Rowberry and the Frogs)
Mayonaise
I of the Mourning

Set 2: The Shambling Orchestra plays on
Muzzle
Stand Inside Your Love
Perfect
This Time
Go
The Last Song
Last Instrumental
Age of Innocence
Thirty-three

Set 3: Let it all come down
Tonight, Tonight
Siva
Fuck You
Drown
Starla
If There Is a God
Cash Car Star
Rock On [Essex]
 > Heavy Metal Machine
Today

Encore 1:
Note: with Billy Corgan, Sr.
For Martha
Born Under a Bad Sign [Jones/Bell]

Encore 2:
Note: with Rick Nielsen
Cherub Rock

Encore 3:
Disarm
1979

Encore 4:
Silverfuck
  • 2000-12-08
In one of the first interviews in the wake of the band's final show, former lead singer Billy Corgan mentions plans to reissue all of the band's albums, many with extra bonus tracks. Corgan also mentions to Sonicnet the existence of over 400 hours of live shows the band has taped, adding "the archives are very deep."
  • 2000-12-13
The first, second, and third place winners of the "meaning of Machina" contest are announced on the band's official site, as well as the people's choice winners, wrapping up the contest begun in November to interpret the concept behind the band's final albums.
  • 2000-12-18
The seventh and final chapter to the story of Machina is posted on the official site by fomer lead singer Billy Corgan. Corgan is still slated to post the meaning of Machina in the near future.
  • 2000-12-23
"Smashing Pumpkins: Full Circle" debuts on WFLD Chicago (FOX), a one hour documentary that follows the history of the Pumpkins. A project partially initiated by lead singer Billy Corgan, the show features footage of the band peforming on the Pulse cable access show in 1988 as well as the group performing "1979" at its final show at the Metro December 2nd. Corgan also is interviewed for the program, as well as other local luminaries like Metro owner Joe Shanahan, Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick and Nina Gordon. Also featured are music columnists from Chicago publications and station programmers from both Q101 and WXRT.
  • 2000-12-31
A second airing of "Full Circle" takes place on WFLD as a New Year's Eve special.


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